10 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
**************************************

We have 2 rows of these just starting to bloom in our garden! So we have lots of fresh bouquets to look forward to!

*note the girls red-Gatorade mustaches*

**oh, and Benji was the photog for these pictures, because 'Mom, only GIRLS have their picture taken with flowers' (he had NO problem picking the flowers, carrying them ALL the way from the garden to the house, and was MORE than proud to show his DAD what he picked that day! {sigh} little boys too big for their britches!!

Ever feel like this?

After having that bug for 8 days straight. Yes 8 days. This is how I feel. Oh, but it feels good to feel good again!! But I'm just WIPED OUT. I feel that IF I could sleep for a WHOLE day, I'd be ready to roll. But, with 4 little kids and 1 husband who drives truck.. that ain't happening.




So little by little I am able to rest. And little by little I am getting better. And little by little the house is returning to normal. The laundry piles (which I managed to wash AND dry) are slowly getting folded and put away. My family can expect a decent meal for lunch AND supper. My garden can brace itself for a whirl wind to come charging thru: weed and pick all my veggies (if they're not over-ripe already!) Oh, and.. the yard.. which has been neglected for.. {cough, cough} 3 weeks will get baled into hay mowed.

Between me being sick ALL last week. The week before we had 2 sick. The week before that we had 1 sick. Not too much has gotten done around here. Other than the bare minimum, if we were even that lucky. My goal WAS to start home school the beginning of Sept. But that ain't happening. Lucky for me, this year isn't 'official' (according to state laws). Although I still want to treat it as it is, after all.. it is Kindergarten. And Benji thinks the world of it, and I'm not about to let him down. Oh! I have SO much to do!! But we'll take it one shopping trip at a time. er.. one day at a time!


John (my baby) turns 2 in Sept. and 3 days later our nephew also turns 2. (I'm thinking a joint bday party might be in the works!) Then one week later our niece turns 3! And don't forget Grandparents Day is in there. We'd be lost without BOTH sets of our Grandparents! Plus we have some SPECIAL plans coming up in Sept. We always look forward to them EVERY year. With 4 kids and a camper it takes some extra planning and preparing, but it's oh-so-worth-every-second!



Maybe these next busy weeks are just what I needed. Although I'll be busy, busy. I need this time to re-focus on what is most important to me. Our faith. Our family. So while I just have John this morning, (THANK YOU Boppa and Gma for keeping the other 3 last night) I should get going on my dill pickles, then tackle the rest of my to-do list before the other munckins get home.

Home school

This fall, these 2 munchkins will be starting school. Benji: Kindergarten. Carolyn: Pre-school. But they will be taught at home, versus going to public school.

I had this big long post typed up, defending our choice to home school and so on. Then I deleted it. Where you decided to have your kids taught is up to YOU. People will always have their opinions on things. And when they are strongly set, you can rarely make them at LEAST see where you are trying to come from. We, meaning my husband and myself are 100% settled on this TOGETHER. And that's all the opinions that matter to us. I do realize people may/will talk about this, and perhaps judge us or our children. But we feel this is the best choice for our children for the time being. (Who knows what the future will hold) We believe we can make this work for them. We both know kids taught at home and in public schools that have both thrived and failed. So while we realize this may not be the choice for you and your family, it is the one for us.

So that being said. There are a few of us that are beginning to home school this fall. We thought it would be great to have a spot where we could share: ideas, resources, advice, thoughts, support, etc. Some of us are just beginners, some have being doing this for years. Out of respect for everyone involved, it has been asked that the blog remain private. If you are interested in participating, or viewing the blog (not just because your are 'nosy' about homeschooling :D ) please send me your email me at country_rhythm (at) yahoo (dot) com

9 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
**************************************

These pictures could use some editing, but just putting them on the computer, and into this post is exhausting enough. Remember last week, we had cancelled plans because of sickness. Well, this past week, 2 more came down with it (one with an ear infection besides). Then Sat. I came down with it. Yesterday was slighty better than the day before, so maybe today will be even better!

Benji- my BIG helper this week. Keeping an eye on the kids John while I rest keep one eye open on the couch.

And sometimes this lil princess would rub Mommy's back and give me kisses on my cheek!

8 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
**************************************

She was suppose to be taking a nap, I was suppose to be cleaning for our company. But we both were snuggling on the couch reading books instead! She never got her nap, but I still had to clean afterwards! (Katie and John were napping, Benji was at Boppa's house)..so it was the 2 of us. I love when I'm able to spend 1-on-1 time with each of them!She was being goofy, so this is what you get...

And the next day (Wed) .. we ended up with one kid, one very high fever, one long night, one cancelled company visit, one trip to the Dr, one Rx for an ear infection. Why is it, kids always get sick when you have plans?

I've come to realize...

I was tagged by Sam...

This originally came from Face book. I'm not going 'tag' anyone, so feel free to tag yourself!

1. I've come to realize that my chest size... is no longer important and is much different after having kids.

2. I've come to realize that my job... is the best.

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving... I get annoyed by crazy, reckless drivers (talking/texting on their phone!)

4. I've come to realize that I need... patience's. Lots of patience's.

5. I've come to realize that I have lost... my mind.

6. I've come to realize that I hate/dislike... when my kids are sick.

7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk... I will likely make a scene.

8. I've come to realize that money... goes out much faster than it comes in sometimes.

9. I've come to realize that certain people... will never change and will just be the way they are forever.

10. I've come to realize that I'll always... be short and plump

11. I've come to realize that my sibling(s)... are irreplaceable.

12. I've come to realize that my mom... knew what she was talking about most of the time.

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone... can be shut off, leaving me in peace and quiet when I need a break.

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning... I had alot to do.

15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep... I love my husband.

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking... I should be cleaning.

17. I've come to realize that my dad... was always looking out for me.

18. I've come to realize that when I get on Face book...I should probably be doing something else (ditto Sam).

19. I've come to realize that today... is a new day.

20. I've come to realize that tonight... will be busy.

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow... may never come, so live today like its your last.

22. I've come to realize that I really want to... be the best mom, wife, daughter, sister, in-law, friend.

23. I've come to realize that the person who is most likely to re post this is...... whoever wants to.

24. I've come to realize that life... is full of chances, opportunities, regrets, memories.. you get what you put into it.

25. I've come to realize that this weekend... will be busy, fun and surrounded by family.

26. I've come to realize the best music to listen to when I am upset... is my husbands CD.

27. I've come to realize that my friends... now the 'real' me. And still are my friends :)

28. I've come to realize that this year... is flying by.

29. I've come to realize that my ex... was not the one for me.

30. I've come to realize that maybe I should... stop complaining, and do something about it.

31. I've come to realize that I love... God, my husband, my kids, my family and friends, hugs, kisses..

32. I've come to realize that I don't understand... men

33. I've come to realize my past... is my past. It won't change.

34. I've come to realize that parties... are now birthday party's for my kids.

35. I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified... losing my family.

36. I've come to realize that my life... is not my own.

7 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

**************************************

Not exactly the best shot of us. Not exactly "all" of us.. but nonetheless, it's us.Kisses for Katie bug. She got stung under her right eye this weekend. So she got lots of them. Kisses that is.

When we're outside, it's all but impossible to snag John for a picture with him.. Nor is he too impressed when we have to go inside.

Last time I mentioned we were going to be at the rodeo last wk end. Plans changed and we didn't make it. But we heard the 'new-county-just-had-to-have-bleachers were jammed packed and tons of people were standing. (Guess they should have made the new bleachers bigger not smaller! That's our tax dollars put to good use!) Wouldn't that have been fun? Standing for 3 hours with 4 little kids!